A poignant day spent exploring the D-Day landing sites. From St. Mere Eglise to Utah Beach and the Ranger Memorial at Pointe du Hoc, we were immersed in the history of the Allied invasion. Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery were particularly moving, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of so many. To be able to walk the shores where so many gave their lives during the invasion was so emotional. During most of our trip, we never saw rain. But the day we visited the D-Day landing sites, it began to mist, linger a light drizzle as if the sky was sad or crying.  After leaving the Normandy area, the sun once again began to shine.

We were fortunate to visit just 10 days before the 80th remembrance celebration. 

Utah Beach Landing 

A visit to Utah Beach is a profoundly moving experience. The day begins with a sobering walk along the sands of Utah Beach, where the echoes of history still linger. We also visited a bunker turned cafe, called Le Roosevelt.  As years passed, former soldiers would come back to visit the beach and stop in the bunker and sign the walls.  It now serves a memorial to those who served.  

Sainte-Mère-Église

On the night of June 5, 1944, thousands of paratroopers jumped into Normandy, with many landing in and around Sainte-Mère-Église.  

One of the most famous images from D-Day is of Private John Steele, who became entangled in the church steeple's bell tower during his descent. He played dead for two hours to avoid capture.  Unfortunately he was discovered and captured.  The church displays a replica of his ordeal still today.  Despite heavy casualties, the paratroopers managed to secure a foothold in the town, facing fierce resistance from German forces.  Sainte-Mère-Église was one of the first towns liberated by the Allies, playing a crucial role in the overall D-Day operation.

After a visit to the paratrooper museum, we took a walk through the church and enjoyed a nice lunch in an American style diner, NYCO's Happy Diner.    

Omaha Beach

Omaha Beach was the deadliest of the five D-Day landing sites. Its steep cliffs, fortified defenses, and heavy German resistance made it a formidable challenge for the Allied forces.  Unlike other beaches, Omaha was heavily fortified with machine gun nests, bunkers, and obstacles. The German 352nd Infantry Division, a well-trained unit, put up a fierce defense.  The initial assault on Omaha was catastrophic. Many soldiers were killed or wounded before even reaching the beach. The scene was one of chaos and carnage as troops struggled to overcome the obstacles and establish a foothold.  Despite the overwhelming odds, American troops displayed extraordinary courage and determination. Through sheer grit and sacrifice, they managed to break through the German defenses and establish a beachhead.  Visiting Omaha Beach was a sobering experience. The cliffs and beaches still bear the scars of that fateful day. The American Cemetery and Memorial overlooking the beach is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made.  

Point du Hoc, the cliff between the two beached where we got see the vantage point of controlling that area and learned how they Nazi's made fake cannons for the Americans to see. 

Normandy American Cemetery

Setting foot back on American soil!  The cemetery is the final resting place for over 9,300 American soldiers, most of whom perished in the initial days of the invasion.  

A poignant feature is the Walls of the Missing, where the names of over 1,500 missing soldiers are inscribed.   As we walked through the Walls of the Missing, we found a soldier named Herman F. Shelley (342nd Automotive Maintenance Company, Tech 4) and laid flowers at his name.  As of the time of writing, we are not sure if we are related but we did feel drawn to him.  

A bronze statue, symbolizing the spirit of the American youth who gave their lives, stands as a central focal point of the memorial.  

The cemetery's location offers a commanding view of Omaha Beach, where the fierce fighting took place.  While walking through the cemetery, we caught a glimpse of two people on horseback riding along the beach.